Best Specialty Shop

An Olive Ovation

Staff Pick

Sure, even the least fancy Schnucks sells a variety of olive oil these days, but heaven forbid you're actually looking for insight into the merits of one brand over another. At most groceries, you can buy the expensive kind or a giant plastic container's worth — who knows which is actually worth the price point. Or you can go to An Olive Ovation. The specialty shop opened in 2007 when Marianne Prey saw a need for a good olive-oil store in St. Louis. "There's strong health connections. There's also a strong historical connection — olive oil goes back 5,000 years," Prey says. After moving from Carondelet Plaza to Ladue's Colonial Marketplace, An Olive Ovation's business has been steady. The store offers dozens of different kinds of olive oils, both imported and locally produced, with extra virgin, flavored, and even nut and seed oils. Prey also stocks many balsamic vinegars, wine vinegars, fruit vinegars, Italian imported pastas, sauces, pestos, sea salts, spice blends, wines, kitchen accessories, Italian pottery and crackers. Ask the knowledgeable staff for help and prepare to buy something that will blow your mind. 8829 Ladue Road, Ladue, 63124. 314-727-6464, extravirginoo.com.